Second Friday Reception November 11, 2022 5:30pm-8pm

On Display November 1-30,2022

Join Frame of Mind as we feature artists Jennifer Baylis, our 2022 Juried Art Expo Juror’s Choice Award Winner, for a Second Friday art reception. This award was chosen by this year’s Juried Art Exhibition guest jurors, Hailey Faust – UM adjust professor and local artist of Graphic Design and Motion Design; and Lauren Norby – local artist and ZACC board member. AS a recipient of this award, Jennifer not only was awarded a feature in our monthly newsletter, but was awarded an individual art exhibition in our gallery.

Jennifer Baylis currently works full time as an artist in Missoula, reflecting the city’s dynamic individuals through portraiture and figurative work. Jennifer is influenced by Realist masters like Anders Zorn and John Singer Sargent, as well as contemporary artists including Dennis Perrin,  Natalia Fabia, and Sean Cheetham. Like these oil painters, she strives to bring a painterly approach to the subject. She works primarily in alla prima methods in which the painting is worked “wet-into-wet” in one session.

Jennifer received her bachelor’s degree in Art from UCLA, with an emphasis on drawing and painting. She went on to work at the Long Beach Museum of Art in California as the Community Arts Coordinator and then at the Orange County Museum of Art as the Education and Public Programs Manager.

Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferbaylis_art or view more of her available works here: jenniferbaylisstudio.com

I started painting and drawing from a young age, but it wasn’t until I took a class in portraiture at the local junior college during high school, that I found my love of drawing the portrait. Drawing and painting portraits excites me and gives me the right amount of challenge to capture a likeness while bringing something of myself. For me the process of painting is also just as important as the result itself, a journey of color, value, and edges with a painterly feel.

My current body of work started in the lockdown period of 2020, with my portraits being of a darker, moodier nature. Longing, weariness, boredom and more nuanced feelings populate my work. Even though they look gloomy, these people are resilient. I strive to evoke an emotional response from the viewer by engaging the viewer’s gaze with the penetrating gaze of the model.

As the pandemic wore on and vaccinations became available, the mood shifted around me and I wanted to capture some lightheartedness in my portraits. My grandfather owned an ice cream company in California and ice cream was always a big deal in my family. As an ode to my family history, I was inspired to include ice cream in my portraits for the pure fun and enjoyment of it. That led into painting women with donuts, cupcakes and sparkles which buoyed my spirit and provided a relief from the darkness of the time. Celebratory in nature, they offer some whimsy and joy to the viewer as well.

Frame of Mind will have an opening reception on Friday, November 11th 5:30 – 8 pm. Masks are not required, but are encouraged. Snacks and beverages will be available.

If you have nay questions regarding the show or the artist, contact Heather by email htaylor@frameofmindmt.com or by phone 406-549-8589.